Your skin science review for 2022

December 2022 – It’s that time of the year when we look back and reflect on what the skincare industry presented to us in 2022 and how far the understanding of skin science reached. The good news is that this year we saw a focus on formulations and a portrayal of progressive and smart skincare gradually grow throughout the year.

Kevin Khosa, Customer Service Manager and Skin Expert at SKIN functional did a deep dive into some skin science facts that made 2022 the breakout year of skincare below:

Skin Science Fact 1: More people turned their focus towards active ingredients, reading their products labels and really leaning into what each active does for their skin. We saw a greater understanding and appreciation of hero ingredients and why these are essential for good skincare such as Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Ceramides. As result of this, there was an increased interest from people to consult professionals in defining their exact skin concerns and locking down their skin types.

Skin Science Fact 2: Holistic skincare also played a major role this year with everyone slowly emerging out of their Covid-19 cocoons, where we saw more people embracing their natural skin and working hard to attain good skin the healthy way. Exercise, water intake, a healthy diet and quality products moved up higher on their list of priorities, and maybe we have the pandemic to thank for this.

Skin Science Fact 3: Evidence-based skincare. A minimalist routine with a few quality products that come highly recommended is what audiences and skincare lovers gravitated towards this year. Reviews played a huge role in product endorsement as people crave real transformation stories from brands whose products work. SKIN functional saw a massive increase in customer engagement with the brand after showcasing product testimonials. Skincare is now for the everyday person and no longer only for skin enthusiasts. Everyone wants clear, healthy looking skin and they also endeavour to know that their chosen brand backs-up their products with scientific based research.

Skin Science Fact 4: Centella asiatica was a huge focus in skincare for 2022. Coined as the Instagram ingredient, it travels far beyond the boundaries of social media. The Centella herb extract has been used for many years in traditional medicine to treat small wounds, burns, and scratches due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing properties. In skincare, this ingredient is loved for its antioxidant, anticellulite, and anti-aging properties.

Skin Science Fact 5: Lastly, but certainly not least – upcycled concentrates. By now, it is obvious that highly effective botanical ingredients are the future of the natural beauty market. Set to only grow from here, the clean and sustainability drive will only see more and more brands being forced to manufacture products that are vegan and as green as possible. Customers have become increasingly engaged in doing what is best for the planet and supporting cruelty free brands, which is the future of beauty.

A successful, impactful and educational year for skincare it was. With the new year on the horizon, we can expect lots more exciting, marketing-leading developments in skin science in South Africa, with local brands paving the way in optimal concentrations™ that have reproducible results™.